Floor-dressing machine.



G. F. HALL. FLOOR DRESSING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APB-27,1908.

Patented Sept 27, 1910.

2 SHEETS-1133! 1.

INVENTOR WITNESSES: l i'ad M G. P. HALL. FLOOR DRESSING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 12.27, 19oa.

' Patented Sept. 27, 1910.

INVENTOI? 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES:

1n: mans PETERS co., wumuarou,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE F. HALL, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

FLOOR-DRESSING MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnonen F. HALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Floor-Dressing Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

Like references indicate like parts.

Figure l is a side elevation of my improved floor-dressing machine in operative position. Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the same. Fig. 3 is a part front elevation and part vertical cross section of the same, the sections being taken on lines A-A of Fig. 4 and BB of Fig. 6. Fig. 4. is a vertical longitudinal section of the same taken 011 line C0 of Fig. 6. Fig. 5 is a vertical section of a portion of the same taken on line DD of Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a top plan View, partly in section, of the framework and carriage of my improved floor-dressing machine. Figs. 3, l, 5 and 6 are intended to show the construction of the framework and carriage of my machine and in order not to complicate and confuse the drawings certain of the parts of the machine that are mounted on the framework are omitted or indicated in outline only; these parts are fully shown, however, in Figs. 1 and 2.

My invention relates to machines for abrading, surfacing, dressing and finishin floors in position, and it consists or novel construction and combination of the several parts as hereinafter described and specifically set forth in the claims.

Floors, as they are left by the floor-layers, are in a rough, unfinished condition. There are always irregularities and unevenness in the surface, especially along the joints. It frequently happens that in wooden floors some of the boards project above the general level.

In providing means for reducing such irregular and uneven floors to faired or uniform surfaces, the devices or mechanisms, which are employed, must be capable of suchadjustment and control as to confine the operation as closely as may be to such portions of the floor as require to be reduced in order that results may be quickly obtained. It is important, once the floor is in surface, that any further dressing should be lightly done and that only the least possible Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 27, 1908.

Patented Sept. 27, 1910. Serial N 0. 429,576.

amount of the wood be removed and to that end means for regulating the cut and preventing excessive cutting are essential.

The purposes of my invention are to im prove floor-dressing machines so that they may quickly bring the floor operated upon to the desired surface; to provide adjusting means whereby the degree of pressure of the dressing tool upon the floor may be quickly obtained and regulated; to provide for such a machine a means of propulsion over the floor, which means also serves to control the initial contact of the abrading tool with the floor and to control it or not, as far as pressure is concerned, throughout its contact with the floor at the will of the operator; to provide such means of adjustment between the dressing tool and the propelling means that the oscillation of the propelling means may be the same regardless of the adjustment for pressure to be exerted by the dressing roll upon the floor; to provide a flexible base of support for such a machine in rolling contact with the floor so adapted that the pressure of the dressing tool upon the floor is unaffected by variations in pressure on the propelling means and finally to so assemble such a machine that all the component parts thereof are compactly mounted and adapted to exert various predetermined pressures upon the dressing tool so that adjustments may be made at the will of the operator to produce a variety of results in the action of said toolupon the floor.

In the accompanying drawings the floor surface, which is operated upon, is designated as X.

As seen in Figs. 1 and 2, a rigid frame 1 is supported in rolling contact with the floor by two wheels 2, which are rotatably mounted on the axle 3 and by the dressing-tool or roller 4, rotatably mounted on the shaft 5, which shaft is mounted in bearings 6 of the two forwardly projecting horns 7 of the frame 1, which bearings are removably held in place in said horns by the set screws 8; one end of the shaft 5 projects and mounted thereon is the pulley 9; the ends of the axle 3 project through slots in the sides of the frame 1 and mounted on each end of the aXle are plates 10 having two slots and said plates 10 are secured to the frame 1 by two screws inserted through the slots and screwed into the frame; this arrangement allows of forward and backward adjustment of the aXle 3 by means of a device which is described later.

Another frame 11 (more clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 6) is pivotally mounted 011 the axle 3; this frame extends backward from the axle 3 and mounted thereon is the handle 12 with the cross bar 13 by which the ma chine is propelled over the floor; the handle 12 is constructed so that it can be lengthened or shortened and removed entirely from the frame and mounted thereon is an electric switch for starting and stopping the electric motor which operates the tool as will later appear; the frame 11 extends forwardly of the axle 3 and terminates in the brackets 14 which are connected together by a horizontal plate 15 having a smooth top surface; the brackets 1% provide bearings in which rotate the axle 16 of the wheel 17, which wheel is adapted for rolling contact with the floor, turning on axle 3 when the handle 12 is raised; attached to the forward part of the frame 1 is the block 18 through which proj ects downwardly the adjusting screw 19 held by a check nut and said set screw is adapted to be raised and lowered; the top surface of the plate 15 at the forward end of frame 11 is adapted to engage with the lower end of the screw 19 and by such contact the vertical movement of the dressing tool or roller is controlled whenever said tool is not in contact with the floor and by means of such contact the tool is guided into and out of engagement with the floor; although the adusting screw 19 is depended upon for a means of communicating contact between the frames, it is evident that similar, but not equally satisfactory results, would be obtained if the two frames came into direct contact at or near the location of the adjusting screw. The pressure of the tool upon the floor is also regulated by such adjustable contact so that the action of the tool may be much or little at the will of the operator; when the wheels 2 and wheel 17 are in contact with the floor and the tool 4: is in engagement with the floor the adjustment of the screw 19 in contact with the plate 15 determines and controls the depth of cut of the tool 4:; such control is absolutely necessary if fine results are to be obtained and this is one of the chief features of my improved machine.

In the ordinary operation of the machine it is preferable that the revolving tool & bear directly upon the floor and exert a predetermined pressure thereon and be free to rise and fall vertically in its travel over and in following the surface of the floor. Such freedom of movement is assured in my improved machine as the rigid frame 1 carrying the tool 4 is pivoted on the axle 3 mounted on wheels 2; the pressure of the tool upon the floor is determined and regulated by the location of the axle 3 with relation to the tool 4;, the axes of which are parallel to each other and are brought into more or less closer relation by means of the device illustrated in Fig. 5; the axle 3 as before indicated extends across from side to side of the frame 1 and the ends thereof project through longitudinal slots in each side of the frame; midway on this axle is a pivotally mounted cross head 20, into which is threaded the screw 22, which extends through the rear part of the frame 1 and mounted thereon is a wheel handle 23, shouldered against the frame 1 and a pin 24L inserted in the shank of screw 22 prevents forward or backward movement of the shank of screw; the turning of the wheel handle 23 forces the frame 11, the axle 3 and the wheels 2, mounted thereon, into varying relations with the tool l and as the relations of these parts change, the pressure of the tool on the floor increases or diminishes; the end of the screw 19 is adapted to slide on the plate 15 throughout such movements of the frame 11; a slotted plate 10 is mounted on each end of axle 3 and slides with it and two screws extend through the slots and into the sides of frame 11; when the axle 3 is positioned in the frame these screws are tightened and prevent any wabbling of the axle.

Mounted on the frame 1 and bolted thereto through its legs 25 is the motor casing 30, in which. is the motor 26, having a transverse shaft 27, on which is mounted a pulley 28; the revolving tool is operatively connected with the motor by the belt 29.

Mounted on the rear part of the motor casing 30 is a rheostat 31 properly wired to the motor 26 and having electrical connection with a source of supply outside the machine through proper flexible wires controlled through a switch mounted on the handle adjacent to the cross bar 13; mounted on the forward part of the motor casing 30 is an exhauster inclosed in a casing 32 and having a shaft inclosed in extended bearing 39, on the end of which shaft is mounted a grooved pulley 38; mounted on the motor shaft 27 is a grooved pulley 4L1, operatively connected with the exhauster pulley by means of the crossed belt 10 to rotate same. The inlet of the exhauster is circular and is flanged and connected therewith is the cup shaped end 33 of the exhaust pipe 34, terminating in the hood 35, which projects over the revolving tool 4; the cup shaped end of the exhaust pipe is arranged to revolve on the circular collar of the exhauster inlet so that the hood may be lifted up, rotating on said collar. The cuttings are drawn through the exhauster 32 and are forced into the bag or receptor 37 through the outlet pipe 36 which is removably mounted on the exhauster casing.

Mounted on the rear part of the frame 1 are lugs 42, carrying in bearings a roller 43 adapted to contact with the floor when the machine is at rest with the revolving tool out of contact wit-h the floor.

The completed machine assembled as specified is so balanced, pivotally, on the axle 8 and wheels 2 that the weight of the pivoted frame 11 and the handle and other parts mounted thereon control the vertical rise and fall of the revolving tool into and out of contact with the floor regardless of the longitudinal relations (within fixed bounds) of the shaft 5 and axle 3; the weight of the frame 11 and the handle and other parts mounted thereon back of its pivotal connection with axle 3 is such as to force the forward portion of frame 11 upward until the plate 15 comes into contact with the adjusting screw 19 and by reason of such contact to lift the forward end of the frame 1 and with it the roll 4, which normally and when such pressure is not exerted rests upon the floor surface. No part of the frame 11 or any of the parts mounted thereon come into direct contact at any time with any other portions of the assembled machine ex cept at the pivotal supports on axle 3 and at the point of contact between the plate 15 and the adjusting screw 19. Slots 44 in the back portion of the frame 1 are adapted to prevent contact between the frames at these points.

The handle is limited in its downward movement after the plate 15 is in contact with the adjusting screw 19 by the contact of roller 43 with the floor and the upward movement of the handle is limited by the contact of wheel 17 with the floor; between the two extremes any vertical movement of the handle may be arranged for by the adjusting of the screw 19 and such adjustments can be had as will insure the same vertical movement of handle at all times regardless of the position of the axle 3 with relation to the shaft 5 and this movement of the handle can be varied for different workmen and the height of handle from the floor can be adjusted.

In adjusting for the ordinary run of work the machine should rest upon the floor solely on its two wheels 2 and the revolving tool 4; the screw 19 should then be turned until the distance between the end of same, in contact with the plate 15, and the floor is slightly more than the vertical distance between the top of plate 15 and the lowest .point on the rim of wheel 17 when in this relation the tool 4 may be guided into and out of contact with the floor and when in such contact a slight upward pressure on the handle forces the wheel 17 into contact with the floor and draws the plate 15 away assembled machine uninfluenced by any variation in pressure exerted on the handle by the operator in propelling same.

To operate my improved machine, the workman having determined the requisite amount of tool pressure required to accomplish the desired result, adjusts the relations of the wheels 2 with the tool 4 by turning the handle 23; when the proper relation is established he tightens the screws in the slots of plate 10 so as to keep the wheels in proper alinement; he then throws the switch adj acent to the cross bar 13 of the handle 12 and gradually energizes the motor by throwing over the lever on the rheostat 81; during the operations to this point the machine is at rest upon the floor surface on its wheels 2 and roller 43 with the tool 4 out of contact therewith; he now grasps the cross bar 13 and slightly elevating same (the motor in the meantime having gained its maximum speed) pushes the machine forward gradually raising the handle and allowing the tool to come into gentle contact with the floor with a forward gliding motion of the whole machine; the raising of the handle being gradual and continuous until the full proportion of weight of the machine rests upon the tool 4 and the wheels 2 and is moving forward at an even rate of speed pro-' pelled by the handle; the instant that he feels that the tool 4 is bearing its full portion of the weight of the machine he quickly lifts the handle until the wheel 17 of the frame 11 is in contact with the floor and the machine is'then supported with four bearing points in contact with the floor and an even cut results as the pivotal connection between the frames and the pivotal mounting of the frame 1 on the wheels 2 prevents varying pressure on the handle from being communicated to the tool.

WVhen the machine approaches the end of a cut, the operator lowers the handle gradually and the wheel 17 leaves the floor and the plate 15 of the frame 11, coming in con tact with the end of adjusting screw 19, lifts the forward part of frame 1 and with it the tool 4 out of contact with the floor and the machine is turned around and the operation is repeated or the power may be shut off from the switch on the handle and the handle still further lowered until the machine comes to rest on its wheels 2 and roller 43, as before indicated.

It is preferable that the frame 1 and the frame 11 be connected to oscillate vertically on the same pivot; as shown in Fig. 1, this pivot is the axle 3. Results would, however, be obtained if one frame pivoted on axle 8 and the two frames were pivoted at some other point. Such construction is within the scope of my invention.

Certain results would be obtained if the surface 15 of the forward part of frame 11 was arranged to contact with the downwardly extending flange of frame 1, shown in Fig. 5, but better results and control are assured by the adjusting device 18 and 19.

I claim as a novel and useful invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of a rigid frame supported from and in rolling contact with the floor, a horizontally revoluble dressing tool mounted on the frame and forming one of said supports when said machine is in operative contact with the floor, a motor mounted on the rigid frame, means of energizing the motor, means of revolving the dressing tool from the motor, a vertically oscillating frame pivotally connected with the rigid frame and having means adapted to contact with the floor forward of the pivotal connection between said frames, a handle on said oscillating frame adapted for propelling the machine along the floor surface and by its weight to lift the forward end of the rigid frame and withit the revolving tool from contact with the floor surface.

2. In a fioor-dressing machine, the combination of two pivotally connected vertically oscillating frames adapted to assume varying angular relations with each other, ad justable means on one of the frames adapted to contact with the other of the frames to limit the angular relations of the frames to a predetermined degree, when the machine is operating.

3. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of two pivotally connected vertically oscillating frames adapted to assume varying angular relations with each other, adjustable means on one of the frames adapted to contact with the other of the frames to limit the angular relations of the frames to a predetermined degree, and adjustable means mounted and adapted to vary at will the location of the pivotal connection between the frames 4. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of two pivotally connected vertically oscillating frames adapted to assume varying angular relations with each other, adjustable means on one of the frames adapted to contact with the other of the frames to limit the angular relations of the frames to a predetermined degree, adjustable means mounted and adapted to vary at will the location of the pivotal connection between the frames and both of said frames so adapted that a part of the weight of each is supported from the floor at the pivotal connection of said frames and the balance of the weight of one frame is supported from the floor by a revolving dressing tool mounted in bearings in said frame and the balance of the weight of the other frame is supported from the floor by a wheel mounted on said frame and in rolling contact with the floor when said machine is operating.

5. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of a pivoted frame supported in sta ble equilibrium from and in operative position on the floor on three points of bearing, rotatable wheels forming two of these points and a revoluble dressing tool mounted in bearings in said frame forming the third point, another frame pivotally connected with the first named frame, a handle mounted on said second named frame and adapted for propelling the machine along the floor surface, means of contact between the two frames at other than the pivotal connection of the frames and all the component parts so assembled that the machine is in equilibrium on its supports when there is no contact between the frames, except at their pivotal connection, and so that the dressing tool is raised from the floor by the gravity of the weight of the second named frame and the parts mounted thereon or forming a part thereof when the frames are in contact at other than the pivotal connection between the frames.

6. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of a frame, a motor mounted on the frame, a horizontally revoluble dressing tool mounted in bearings in the frame, means of energizing the motor, means of operatively connecting the motor with the tool to revolve the tool, said frame pivotally supported adjacent to one end thereof on two wheels in rolling contact with the floor and supported at the opposite end thereof by the dressing tool, a secondary frame pivotally mounted with relation to the first mentioned frame and adapted to assume varying angles with said first mentioned frame and to contact with said first mentioned frame forward of the pivotal connection between the frames, a wheel at the forward end of the secondary frame adapted for contact with the floor forward of the pivotal connection between the frames, a handleon the secondary frame and all of the component parts of the machine so assembled that the machine is in equilibrium in operative position on the floor supported upon the three wheels and the dressing tool and so that the dressing tool will be raised from the floor by gravity of the weight of the secondary frame and the parts mounted thereon or forming a part thereof when the wheel in said secondary frame is out of contact with the floor by reason of said gravitation of weight of said component parts of the secondary frame.

7. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of a frame, a motor mounted on the frame, a horizontally revoluble dressing tool mounted in bearings on the frame, means of energizing the motor, means of operatively connecting the motor with the tool to revolve the tool, said frame pivotally supported adjacent to one end thereof on two wheels in rolling contact with the floor and supported at the opposite end thereof by the tool, a secondary frame pivotally mounted with relation to the first mentioned frame and adapted to assume varying angles with said first mentioned frame and to contact with said first mentioned frame forward of the pivotal connection between the frames, means on the forward end of the secondary frame adapted to engage the floor forward of the pivotal connection between the frames, a handle on the secondary frame and the component parts of the machine so assembled and adapted that the machine is propelled along the floor surface by pressure exerted on the handle and the dressing tool is controlled into and out of contact with the floor by means of the handle.

8. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of two frames adapted to oscillate vertically on a pivotal connection and to assume varying angles in relation to each other, wheels in rolling contact with the floor and adapted to support a portion of the weight of each of the frames, a horizontally revoluble dressing tool mounted in one of the frames and adapted to contact with the floor, a handle mounted on one of the frames and adjustable means mounted in such relation to the frames as to limit to a predetermined extent the vertical travel of the handle and the vertical travel of the tool into and out of contact with the floor.

9. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of two frames adapted to oscillate vertically on a pivotal connection and to assume varying angles in relation to each other, wheels in rolling contact with the floor and adapted to support a portion of the weight of each of the frames, a horizontally revoluble dressing tool mounted in one of the frames and adapted to contact with the floor, a handle mounted on one of the frames and adjustable means mounted in such relation to the frames as to limit to a predetermined extent the vertical travel of the handle and the vertical travel of the tool into and out of contact with the floor, said adjustable means so adapted that the pressure of the tool upon the floor after its initial contact therewith is controlled solely by gravity of the weight of the tool-carrying frame and the parts of the machine mounted thereon or forming a part thereof when the handle is lifted vertically to its predetermined extent.

10. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of two frames adapted to oscillate vertically on a pivotal connection and to assume varying angles in relation to each other, wheels in rolling contact with the floor and adapted to support a portion of the weight of each of the frames, a dressing tool mounted in one of the frames and adapted to contact with the floor, a handle mounted on one of the frames and adjustable means mounted in such relation to the frames that contact between such means and one of the frames proportions to a predetermined extent the vertical travel of the handle to the vertical travel of the tool when said handle is raised and lowered.

11. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of two frames adapted to oscillate vertically on a pivotal connection and to assume varying angles in relation to each other, wheels in rolling contact with the floor and adapted to support a portion of the weight of each of the frames, a dressing tool mounted in one of the frames and adapted to contact with the floor, a handle mounted on one of the frames and means of so controlling the angular relations of one frame with the other that the vertical travel or oscillation of the tool is proportionate to the vertical travel or oscillation of the handle when said handle is raised or lowered to a predetermined degree.

12. In a floor-dressing machine, the combin ation of two vertically oscillating frames pivotally connected to assume varying angles with each other, means on each frame adapted to support a part of the weight of that frame from the floor and means of adjusting the pivotal connection of the frames to a predetermined extent at will in a direction approximately parallel with the floor when the machine is in operative position on the floor.

13. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of two vertically oscillating frames pivotally connected and adapted to assume varying angles with each other, and means on each frame adapted to support a part of the weight of that frame from the floor when the machine is in operative position on 105 the floor.

1a. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of two vertically oscillating frames pivotally connected and adapted to assume varying angles with each other, means on 110 each frame adapted to support a part of the weight of that frame from the floorwhen the machine is in operative position on the floor and "the means bearing a part of the weight of one frame including the pivotal 115 connection between the frames.

15. In a floor-dressing machine the combination of two vertically oscillating frames pivotally connected to assume varying angles with each other forward of the pivotal 0011- 120 nection between the frames, a handle for propelling the machine, three wheels and a revoluble dressing tool adapted to support the entire weight of the machine in equilibrium upon and in rolling contact with the 125 floor and the component parts of the machine so assembled and adapted that one of said wheels maintains its contact with the floor solely from pressure exerted upon the handle.

16. I11 a fioor-dressing machine, the combination of two pivotally connected vertically oscillating frames adapted to assume varying angles in relation to each other, a motor and a horizontally revoluble dressing roller mounted on one of the frames, means of energizing the motor, means of revolvlng the dressing roller from the motor, an axle and wheels supporting a portion of the weight of both frames in rollingcontact with the floor, adjustable means adapted to vary the position of the axle with relation to the dressing roller to vary the pressure of the roller upon the floor, a handle for propelling the machine mounted on one of the frames and adapted to control the vertical oscillation of both of the frames and means on the handle-carrying frame adapted to contact with the floor to limit the upward oscillation of the handle.

17. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of a frame pivotally supported from the floor on wheels and adapted for vertical oscillation on said wheels, a revoluble dressing tool mounted in the frame, a motor on the frame, means of operating the tool from the motor, a handle pivot-ally connected and adapted to propel the machine and to oscillate the frame and to control the dressing tool into and out of contact with the floor, the wheels and the dressing tool forming the sole support of the machine from the floor when in operative position with the tool upon the floor, a wheel or roller on the frame adapted to form with the previously mentioned wheels the sole support of the machine upon the floor when the machine is in its inoperative position and at rest upon the floor.

18. In a floor-dressing machine adapted to be propelled along the surface of a floor, the combination of a frame pivotally mounted and adapted to a limited and controlled vertical oscillation, a revoluble dressing roller mounted in the frame, a motor on the frame operatively connected with the dressing roller to revolve the roller, a secondary frame pivotally connected with relation to said first named frame, a handle at one end of said secondary frame and means at the opposite end thereof adapted to contact with the floor and with the first named frame.

19. In a floor-dressing machine, the combination of a frame supported from and in rolling contact with the floor, a floor dressing tool mounted in the frame, means of propelling the frame and a frame, motor, exhauster, receptor and hood combined as a unit and adapted as a unit to be removably attached to the first mentioned frame fully assembled and resting wholly on supports extending from and forming a part of said unit.

20. In a floor-dressing machine adapted to be propelled over the floor surface in contact therewith, the combination of a pivotally supported frame adapted to a limited and controlled vertical oscillation on its pivotal supports, longitudinally adjustable means for varying the pivotal support at will, a horizontally revolving dressing tool mounted in the frame at right angles to the longitudinal middle line of the frame, a secondary frame pivotally supported and adapted to assume varying angles with said first mentioned frame, means on the secondary frame adapted for contact with the floor, properly mounted adjustable means adapted to limit and control to a predetermined degree the angular relations of the two frames at will, a combined motor, rheostat, eXhauster, exhaust hood and receptor assembled in and on a frame and adapted as a unit to be detachably secured to and to rest upon said first mentioned frame, a handle mounted on the secondary frame and adapted for propelling the machine along the floor surface and for oscillating both frames vertically and for controlling the tool into and out of contact with the floor and all of the parts of the machine so assembled and adapted that the gravity of the weight of the secondary frame and the parts mounted thereon or forming a part thereof forces the dressing tool out of contact with the floor, and so that when the secondary frame is upwardly oscillated, the dressin tool comes in contact with the floor and eX- erts pressure thereon solely by gravity of the weight of the assembled machine entire, said dressing tool being free to rise and fall oscillating on its pivotal supports in its progress over the floor surface influenced only by such gravity of weight and the propelling force exerted on the handle.

21. In a floor-dressing machine, the com bination of two pivoted frames adapted for limited and controlled vertical oscillation, a dressing tool in one of the frames and three or more wheels in contact with and supporting the machine upon the floor and means of adjusting the tool to reduce the floor to a plane parallel to a plane extended through the points of tangency of the faces of wheels with the floor surface upon which they rest.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE F. HALL. l/Vitnesses:

EDGAR L. BOWEN, BENJ. A. ARMSTRONG. 

